New Core CurriculumNew Core Curriculum
week 3, class-2week 3, class-2
Foundations of Scientific ProcessFoundations of Scientific Process
Visible Objects in the UniverseVisible Objects in the Universe
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Hubble Space Telescope2.4m optical telescoperesides in orbit of Earth
• Planets: an object that orbits a star, is large enough to have settled into an object that orbits a star, is large enough to have settled into a round shape and dominates its orbital zonea round shape and dominates its orbital zone;
Objects in a Visible UniverseObjects in a Visible Universe
The Universe is defined as the summation of all particles and energy that exist and the space-time in/during which all events occur.
What is a Planet?What is a Planet?
Conventional (past) definition: Conventional (past) definition: Planet is a body that orbits a Planet is a body that orbits a star, shines by reflecting the star’s light and is larger than an star, shines by reflecting the star’s light and is larger than an asteroid.asteroid.
What observation ignited the debate about the definition of What observation ignited the debate about the definition of a planet?a planet?
Observation of the vast population of objects in the Observation of the vast population of objects in the vicinity of Pluto (Kuiper Belt Objects = KBO);vicinity of Pluto (Kuiper Belt Objects = KBO);
In particular, KBO Eris is larger than Pluto;In particular, KBO Eris is larger than Pluto;
If Pluto is a planet, not only Eris but also dozen of other If Pluto is a planet, not only Eris but also dozen of other KBO objects will need to be considered a planet. KBO objects will need to be considered a planet.
Key Feature: Key Feature: Planet is a body massive enough to dominate Planet is a body massive enough to dominate its orbital zone by a) flinging smaller bodies away , b) its orbital zone by a) flinging smaller bodies away , b) sweeping them up in direct collisions, or c) holding them in sweeping them up in direct collisions, or c) holding them in stable orbits stable orbits
Dynamical effect presents a feature of clear Dynamical effect presents a feature of clear distinction between planets and other bodiesdistinction between planets and other bodies
Another way of stating the definition: a Another way of stating the definition: a body in the solar system that is more body in the solar system that is more massive than the total mass of all of the massive than the total mass of all of the other bodies in a similar orbit.other bodies in a similar orbit.
Proxy is µ= M(planet)/M(objects)Proxy is µ= M(planet)/M(objects)
• Planets: an object that orbits a star, is large enough to have settled into an object that orbits a star, is large enough to have settled into a round shape and dominates its orbital zonea round shape and dominates its orbital zone;
• Stars: massive gaseous body in outer space, just like the Sun.Unlike a planet, a star generates energy through nuclear fusionand emits visible light;
Objects in a Visible UniverseObjects in a Visible Universe
The Universe is defined as the summation of all particles and energy that exist and the space-time in/during which all events occur.
A sample of starsstars are point sourcescross-like spikes in image (diffraction spikes)caused by strong + concentrated light
stars~ 109m
Super Nova: explosion of the star
One of the most energetic explosive events known is a supernova. These occur at the end of a star's lifetime, when its nuclear fuel is exhausted and it is no longer supported by the release of nuclear energy.
• Planets: large celestial bodies in the solarsystem that revolve around the sun and shine by reflected light;
Objects in a Visible UniverseObjects in a Visible Universe
The Universe is defined as the summation of all particles and energy that exist and the space-time in/during which all events occur.
planets~ 107m
Planet sizes are to scale, but distance is not
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEheh1BH34Q
• Planets: an object that orbits a star, is large enough to have settled into an object that orbits a star, is large enough to have settled into a round shape and dominates its orbital zonea round shape and dominates its orbital zone;
• Stars: massive gaseous body in outer space, just like the Sun.Unlike a planet, a star generates energy through nuclear fusion and therefore emits light;
Objects in a Visible UniverseObjects in a Visible Universe
The Universe is defined as the summation of all particles and energy that exist and the space-time in/during which all events occur.
http://janus.astro.umd.edu/SolarSystems/
• Planets: an object that orbits a star, is large enough to have settled into an object that orbits a star, is large enough to have settled into a round shape and dominates its orbital zonea round shape and dominates its orbital zone;
• Stars: massive gaseous body in outer space, just like the Sun.Unlike a planet, a star generates energy through nuclear fusion and therefore emits light;
• Galaxies: a large aggregate of stars (as well as othermaterials such as gas, dust, and dark matter), held in association by their mutual gravity, and relatively isolated from other such aggregates. Usually grouped into three main types: Spiral, Elliptical, and Irregular.
Objects in a Visible UniverseObjects in a Visible Universe
The Universe is defined as the summation of all particles and energy that exist and the space-time in/during which all events occur.
http://janus.astro.umd.edu/SolarSystems/
http://www.seasky.org/celestial-objects/stars.html
The Hubble Ultra Deep Field
Look at the objects
Think about the time it took for “info” to arrive
Think about their colors; What can you tell about their temperature?
The Hubble Ultra Deep Field
Look at the objects
Think about the time it took for “info” to arrive
Think about their colors; What can you tell about their temperature?
How many galaxies are there in the visible Universe?
How can we use this image to figure out the number of galaxies in the Universe?
The Hubble Ultra Deep Field
Assuming there are 100 billion galaxies in the visible universe, what fraction of the sky is covered by the HUDF image?
The Hubble Ultra Deep Field
33
Is this really the only planet in the only solar system in the only galaxy that’scomfortable for life?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJXSSYyIVqw&feature=related
• Planets
• Stars
• Galaxies
Objects in a Visible Universe Objects in a Visible Universe
We are still in mostly “in the dark”…We are still in mostly “in the dark”…
What evidence do we have for dark matter?
What evidence do we have for dark energy?
only ~ 4% ordinary matter !only ~ 4% ordinary matter !
present at ~ 23 %present at ~ 23 %
present at ~ 73 %present at ~ 73 %
http://burro.cwru.edu/JavaLab/GalCrashWeb/main.html
STUDENTS: STUDENTS:
NEXT WEEK PLEASE BRING LAPTOPS (1 OR 2 PER GROUP)
& PRIOR TO COMING TO CLASS, UPLOAD THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE INTO THE “CASH” MEMORY
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